Though many of the bits are for road cars, spare parts for legendary Italian racing cars were also uncovered in the container.

Even more amazingly, a vast majority of the pieces remain in their original packaging. Dainty and delicate wire wheels were spotted in wooden crates originally used to ship them to the UK, with smaller parts such as carburetors still being found wrapped up in oiled paper.

Unsurprisingly, Routledge amazed upon discovering the collection.

He said: “Something of this scale and with the importance and rarity of the cars they are related to is unprecedented. We are looking at at least £1 million pounds worth of spares, probably more and I have never seen anything like it.

“I feel a bit like Howard Carter uncovering Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Every time we remove one box or item there is something else of huge interest hiding behind.”

The entire collection will be auctioned off without a reserve price on June 29.